Before I type anything else, let me state, yes LA is larger in population and GDP than Chicago. However that does not make it either more important or more connected globally. any more than the Yankees payroll makes it the best baseball team. It certainly doesn’t hurt but it doesn’t guarantee anything. I am also not saying that LA isn’t absurdly important and influential. Both cities are.
That said, I don’t see that your cites provide any evidence that “Most Asian businessmen invest in Los Angeles and it’s area while there are far fewer foreign investors in Chicago.”
In fact if you were looking for cites that counter the GaWC, perhaps you should find some that don’t quote and agree with the GaWC? According to your quotes “Los Angeles is classified as a “beta+ world city”” and “…classified Chicago as an “alpha− world city””.
But let’s look at what you cites talk about:
Ports: Yep, LA has combined bigger ones. No question.
Fortune 500 Companies: LA-6 (10 regionally), Chicago-11 (32 regionally).
Major Financial Exchanges: LA-0, Chicago-3 (plus a number of minor ones).
Yeah. I can’t say I’m seeing anything that would change my mind.
There isn’t alot of civic, city, or local pride in Atlanta - it’s population growth has been fueled by the same yankee transplants as is the case in Charlotte.
That’s fine, I won’t argue Chicago. I haven’t spent much time there.
There are probably others as well. Regardless, generic suburbs are common all over the US, and the city proper tends to almost always contain more civic pride, personality, etc. It isn’t an attribute unique to Atlanta suburbs.
ETA: You’re probably right about Chicago, but those are 3 of dumbest fucking links I’ve ever seen used as cites on this board.
However Los Angeles is more of an international city then Chicago. For instance if you asked the average Asian businessmen to name three American cities he’d say: New York, Washington, and Los Angeles in some order. Los Angeles is home to Hollywood possibly the most influential non-religious cultural center on Earth and it’s area is home to the US branch offices of most Asian corporations although some have moved.
